I'm loving this post on the UBC team and women's rugby in Canada:
In women's rugby, community counts
Although rugby was played mostly by men for many decades, rugby is no longer just a “old boys” sport. Since the first documented match between English schoolgirls played in secret in 1913, rugby has been increasing in popularity and is now the largest growing sport for women in North America.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Rugby Training Video
Behold: a truly inspired and thoughtful video on the basics of rugby, put together by some deadly serious lady ruggers. Starts off a little slow, but stick with it and I promise you'll be laughing your ass off by the end.
I anticipate a Furies video response. Stay tuned.
I anticipate a Furies video response. Stay tuned.
Friday, August 28, 2009
In which I glee a bit over sevens
I am, like presumably everyone else in the rugby world, thrilled to hear that the IOC will be recommending rugby sevens for inclusion in the 2016 Olympic games. It's so exciting to see a version of my favorite sport gaining strength and getting increased public attention. And even though I am a fifteens girl through and through, it's clear to me that the sevens game is really the space where the opportunities are, especially in the women's game.
Rugby Canada's match report on the England/South Africa Nation's Cup game really highlighted the South Africa's sevens players as strengths of the team, stating that "South Africa Sevens’ athletes Gadu and Saloma impressed for the entire 80 minutes and were able to cleverly create chances out of seemingly dead end passages." I don't know much about South Africa's sevens program, but I have to imagine that Gadu and Saloma took advantage of what it offered, and took the strengths they gained from sevens back to their country's fifteens program.
The USA's sevens program, of course, I know a little more about - as do plenty of my well-meaning but rugby-ignorant friends and relatives who have asked me whether there are professional female rugby players, and consequently heard more than they probably wanted to know about the USA women's sevens' team, and their training camp prior to the World Cup in March (which I followed religiously via their blog).
I'm seeing a lot of momentum out there in the rugby world, not to mention the momentum a little closer to home - the Furies have been training all summer to get ready to play in the new Premiership league, which starts with our first match against Keystone next weekend. There's some big changes happening in the rugby world, and I'm excited to see what happens next.
Rugby Canada's match report on the England/South Africa Nation's Cup game really highlighted the South Africa's sevens players as strengths of the team, stating that "South Africa Sevens’ athletes Gadu and Saloma impressed for the entire 80 minutes and were able to cleverly create chances out of seemingly dead end passages." I don't know much about South Africa's sevens program, but I have to imagine that Gadu and Saloma took advantage of what it offered, and took the strengths they gained from sevens back to their country's fifteens program.
The USA's sevens program, of course, I know a little more about - as do plenty of my well-meaning but rugby-ignorant friends and relatives who have asked me whether there are professional female rugby players, and consequently heard more than they probably wanted to know about the USA women's sevens' team, and their training camp prior to the World Cup in March (which I followed religiously via their blog).
I'm seeing a lot of momentum out there in the rugby world, not to mention the momentum a little closer to home - the Furies have been training all summer to get ready to play in the new Premiership league, which starts with our first match against Keystone next weekend. There's some big changes happening in the rugby world, and I'm excited to see what happens next.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Olympic sevens?
My rugby news alerts have pointed me to buckets of articles on the seven sports vying for inclusion in the 2016 Olympic Games - because, of course, one of those seven sports is rugby sevens.
This article is one of the best I have seen (and not just because it's titled "Rugby has best shot at Olympic glory"!). It clearly lays out all seven sports and the advantages and disadvantages each one has to being one of the two chosen for Olympic inclusion.
Here's what it says about rugby:
RUGBY
What: The International Rugby Board is proposing men's and women's tournaments of 12 teams in the faster, short-format, seven-a-side version.
Why it's out: It was dropped in 1924, but it's now hard to find a compelling reason why it wouldn't work as an Olympic sport.
Why it's in: The sevens game is fast, exciting and popular worldwide. The recent sevens World Cup drew 760 million viewers from 141 countries. The sport would attract new sponsors. The IRB has promised to drop its World Cup if it becomes an Olympic sport.
Chances: Excellent. Probably the odds-on favourite.
Go rugby!
This article is one of the best I have seen (and not just because it's titled "Rugby has best shot at Olympic glory"!). It clearly lays out all seven sports and the advantages and disadvantages each one has to being one of the two chosen for Olympic inclusion.
Here's what it says about rugby:
RUGBY
What: The International Rugby Board is proposing men's and women's tournaments of 12 teams in the faster, short-format, seven-a-side version.
Why it's out: It was dropped in 1924, but it's now hard to find a compelling reason why it wouldn't work as an Olympic sport.
Why it's in: The sevens game is fast, exciting and popular worldwide. The recent sevens World Cup drew 760 million viewers from 141 countries. The sport would attract new sponsors. The IRB has promised to drop its World Cup if it becomes an Olympic sport.
Chances: Excellent. Probably the odds-on favourite.
Go rugby!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
BAKE-OFF
My last post was about the Furies/NOVA Beltway Battle Against Breast Cancer.
I've been informed through the grapevine (actually the listserve, which is the Grapevine of Rugby) that this battle will consist not only of the playing of rugby, but also of a bake-off.
The listserve "reply all" messages and g-chat status challenges are flying. My mouth is watering in regret at the fact that I will not be there this weekend and thus unable to sample any of the promised creations for myself. As I'm sure all of you know, rugby players are the most competitive type of people out there, and I would not venture a bet as to what kind of culinary stunts these women might pull in order to create the tastiest, most tempting, pinkest dessert all in the name of baking a better cake than everyone else (especially NOVA!) and WINNING!
I mean, in the name of fighting breast cancer. BOO, CANCER!
I've been informed through the grapevine (actually the listserve, which is the Grapevine of Rugby) that this battle will consist not only of the playing of rugby, but also of a bake-off.
The listserve "reply all" messages and g-chat status challenges are flying. My mouth is watering in regret at the fact that I will not be there this weekend and thus unable to sample any of the promised creations for myself. As I'm sure all of you know, rugby players are the most competitive type of people out there, and I would not venture a bet as to what kind of culinary stunts these women might pull in order to create the tastiest, most tempting, pinkest dessert all in the name of baking a better cake than everyone else (especially NOVA!) and WINNING!
I mean, in the name of fighting breast cancer. BOO, CANCER!
Friday, May 1, 2009
Beltway Battle Against Breast Cancer
My Google news alert pulled up this article on eRugbyNews on the Furies vs. Nova Beltway Battle Against Breast Cancer.
The game, not this Saturday but the next, May 9th, should be a great match - not just because it'll be a tough competition between two skilled rival teams, but also because I know everyone's put a TON of work into planning a fun and inspiring schedule to raise money for a great cause.
Sadly, I'm not going to be able to make it - two of my college friends are getting married (!!!) - but anyone who's in the area should definitely head down to check it out!
The game, not this Saturday but the next, May 9th, should be a great match - not just because it'll be a tough competition between two skilled rival teams, but also because I know everyone's put a TON of work into planning a fun and inspiring schedule to raise money for a great cause.
Sadly, I'm not going to be able to make it - two of my college friends are getting married (!!!) - but anyone who's in the area should definitely head down to check it out!
Friday, April 24, 2009
Ruggerfest countdown!
Ruggerfest is kind of like a rugby Christmas for me: tons of rugby teams coming together, just like families get together at holidays, and there's the same build-up and sense of anticipation. Although instead of presents - we get rugby games!!
This year is even more exciting than previous years, when I just participated in Ruggerfest as a guest. This year, I'm a host of the tournament as a player for the Furies. This means showing up early to help set up, being on my best and most helpful hostess-ing behaviour during, and staying late after to help take everything down. It's kind of like running the show instead of just sitting in the audience to watch.
Not that I won't get involved! Actually, with the Furies entering 3 sides, I'll probably play more rugby at Ruggerfest than ever before. Between playing 8 for Furies Gold, staying kit up and warm ready to sub in for Furies Competitive, and participating in Eamonn Hogan's clinic at the end of the tourney, there will only be 2 hours between 8 and 5 that I'll be able to sit down and eat my PB&J!
Add to all of that predicted highs near 90 all weekend and "isolated thunderstorms" on Saturday, and you'd better believe it's going to be a crazy fun exhausting weekend.
I doubt I'll be doing any blogging when I get home Saturday night, so if there's anyone who reads this blog who won't be at Ruggerfest themselves, I believe Jo is keeping Wendy updated on the day's scores.
Just 14 hours until the fun begins... I can't wait!
This year is even more exciting than previous years, when I just participated in Ruggerfest as a guest. This year, I'm a host of the tournament as a player for the Furies. This means showing up early to help set up, being on my best and most helpful hostess-ing behaviour during, and staying late after to help take everything down. It's kind of like running the show instead of just sitting in the audience to watch.
Not that I won't get involved! Actually, with the Furies entering 3 sides, I'll probably play more rugby at Ruggerfest than ever before. Between playing 8 for Furies Gold, staying kit up and warm ready to sub in for Furies Competitive, and participating in Eamonn Hogan's clinic at the end of the tourney, there will only be 2 hours between 8 and 5 that I'll be able to sit down and eat my PB&J!
Add to all of that predicted highs near 90 all weekend and "isolated thunderstorms" on Saturday, and you'd better believe it's going to be a crazy fun exhausting weekend.
I doubt I'll be doing any blogging when I get home Saturday night, so if there's anyone who reads this blog who won't be at Ruggerfest themselves, I believe Jo is keeping Wendy updated on the day's scores.
Just 14 hours until the fun begins... I can't wait!
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